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May 24, 2005

Pete Crear Named As WOCCU CEO

Madison, WI—The World Council of Credit
Unions,
Inc. (WOCCU) proudly announces the appointment of
credit union pioneer Pete Crear, former Credit
Union National Association (CUNA) executive vice
president and chief operating officer, as its new
chief executive officer.

Pete will begin his new post in Madison,
Wisconsin, WOCCU's headquarters, on June 20,
2005. His first order of business will be
meeting with WOCCU member organizations and donor
groups. Pete noted, "I am excited to join the
World Council of Credit Unions to do what
everyone dreams of, making a contribution to the
worldwide credit union movement."

L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh, WOCCU board chairman
noted, "After an extensive, international, six-
month search we are glad to have Pete as the
newly appointed CEO. In Crear we believe we have
the candidate who will build on the success of
the past and ensure a strong future for the
organization."

As CUNA's former chief operating officer, Pete
oversaw the daily operations of CUNA &
Affiliates' offices in Madison, Wisconsin, which
provide education and training, publications and
web services, research, new product development,
and other services for state leagues and credit
unions. Pete was also responsible for credit
union development, including the Development
Educators Program and the National Credit Union
Foundation. Most recently, he was CUNA's
executive vice president of external relations,
serving as the organization's primary contact on
the national level for consumer and cooperative
groups.

Pete's passion for credit unions spans the
last
40 years. Before joining CUNA in September 1990
as senior vice president of Association Services,
he was president and CEO of the Indiana Credit
Union League. Active in the credit union movement
since 1965, he has served as president of the
Connecticut Credit Union League, as vice
president of Information and Technical Services
for the Michigan Credit Union League, and as
executive director of the Association of Credit
Union League Executives.

Other accomplishments include organizing
numerous
credit unions serving the urban poor, founding
the African-American Credit Union Coalition, and
championing a credit union/financial education
partnership that has reached over 1,000 American
high schools.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 105 countries serve 217 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.